Newsline: Indian expats complain of delays in passport processing in UAE

While the stipulated processing time for an Indian passport is seven days it has taken as long as 60 days in some cases. Despite the claims made by the Indian Consulate of passport issuance within seven working days, many Indian expatriates have complained of inordinate delays of 40-60 days in getting their passports renewed. As per international regulations, handwritten passports are not acceptable and those applying for renewal or additional books or addition of a name have to go in for a new printed passport. The handwritten passports will not be acceptable after November and that would partially explain longer queues at BLS, the official agency partnering with the Indian Embassy and Indian Consulate in the UAE to process passsports and visas.